Malcolm Burnand – Packing Operative

“I’m a fairly positive person and I accept that there are a few things that I can’t do. But I also know that there are lots of things that I can do.”

Award wining company Gripple of Sheffield puts its success down to the quality of people it recruits. People like Malcolm Burnand, who has over 20 years of solid experience in engineering.

Like many people, it was only after he started working for the company that Malcolm discovered that ‘Gripple’ was both a company and a product. A ‘Gripple’ is a small joining and tensioning device that is used to ‘grip’ wires used for industrial purposes.

Malcolm’s job involves checking orders then assembling and packing ‘Gripples’ for export all over the world. Packing Operatives regularly use computers in their work and need to be computer literate. Malcolm developed his computer skills through on-the-job training.

Positive attitude

Malcolm was born with Spina Bifida but says that it has never prevented him finding a job he enjoys. “It’s never been a problem as far as employment or life in general is concerned.”

Employer's story

“Malcolm is a hard worker” says Trish Gray, team leader of the packing team. “He has very good communication skills which are important, because our team has to regularly liaise with the production team so that orders can go out to customers on time.”

The work of the packing team is quite stressful says Trish. Deadlines for customer orders have to be met by the team who are part of the production ‘chain’. Malcolm’s duties are exactly the same as other team members and he has a personal responsibility to ensure customer orders are ready for despatch.

Effective team member

At Gripple, managers are always on the look out for people with enthusiasm and ideas. Malcolm fits the bill very well as far as the type of employee they like to recruit is concerned. He is an effective team member and his disability does not present any particular challenges for the company.

In 2007 Malcolm had a foot operation. When he went back to work, minor but temporary adjustments were made so that his duties were lighter. For example, he was able to sit down and work rather than stand. Trish says that the adjustments made for Malcolm would have been made for any employee in a similar situation.

Employee's story

When Malcolm was interviewed for a job at Gripple, the company was more interested in his experience and the personal qualities he could bring to Gripple rather than his disability: “The interviewer was very impressed with my length of service in my previous job.”

Committed employee

The commitment and reliability he demonstrated in his previous job were a key factor in his successful recruitment to Gripple.

But it’s not all work and no play for Malcolm. He enjoys socialising with his colleagues after work. He works with a supportive team and when he was housebound after his foot operation, the team were regular visitors to his home.

“Gripple is a very friendly place to work” says Malcolm. “And the team meetings are really good because as a team member you can talk freely, contribute ideas and raise issues without fear.”

Malcolm has not allowed his disability to become a barrier at work or to finding work. He believes that the key to his positive attitude is that he concentrates on his abilities. “I’m a fairly positive person and I accept that there are a few things that I can’t do. But I also know that there are lots of things that I can do.”

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